Photoelectrochemical properties of LaTiO2N electrodes prepared by particle transfer for sunlight-driven water splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology for the production of renewable solar hydrogen from water. A method of fabricating photoelectrodes from semiconductor particles for efficient water splitting was investigated using LaTiO2N as a test case. When a Ti conductor electrode with the back side covered with LaTiO2N particles was constructed by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, the LaTiO2N photoelectrode generated a remarkable photoanodic current and evolved O-2. The insertion of a Ta or Nb interlayer between the Ti conductor and the LaTiO2N particles enhanced the photocurrent. This method of fabricating photoelectrodes from semiconductor particles enables the use of simple powder semiconductors in solar energy conversion systems.